Former South Australian opposition leader David Speirs has accepted guilt for drug supply charges related to two individuals, offences committed during his tenure as the leader of the state’s Liberal Party. The 40-year-old appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court, where his legal counsel informed Magistrate Brian Nitschke that an agreement had been made with the prosecution, leading to a resolution of the matter.
Speirs pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying or administering a drug (excluding cannabis) to others. The incidents took place in Kingston Park, a suburb of Adelaide, on August 1 and between August 1 and August 10. Sentencing submissions are scheduled for April 11.
After the court proceedings, Speirs expressed his desire to conclude the matter swiftly, stating, “That’s the best thing for me at a personal level, and that’s why I’m taking this approach.” He emphasised his focus on processing through the situation efficiently, which influenced his decision-making.
His leadership came under scrutiny after he stepped down on August 8, citing exhaustion from ongoing speculation regarding his position. The controversy heightened on September 9, when a video allegedly depicting Speirs using a substance surfaced, which he claimed was a “deepfake” and insisted he would clear his name.
His legal troubles escalated when he was arrested in Berri, located in South Australia’s Riverland, on September 26, following a police search of his Kingston Park residence. Speirs released a video statement on October 5, stating he felt it would be impossible to serve his constituents effectively while addressing these serious allegations, prioritising his mental health and familial support.
He stated that the allegations of drug use had resulted in a raid by armed police at his home, followed by his arrest and questioning. Previously, he expressed that representing the constituents of Black was the greatest honour of his life, which he would deeply miss.